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History of money: Portugal

From the first coins to today – and where to find coin dealers.

Portugal's currency was the real for more than five centuries. In the age of discovery, gold from Africa and later from Brazil filled the treasury: the gold cruzado of the 15th century and the large 18th-century gold pieces of King John V, struck largely from Brazilian gold, are highlights of Portuguese numismatics.

After the monarchy fell in 1910, the Republic replaced the real with the escudo in 1911, at 1,000 réis per escudo. The escudo remained Portugal's currency for the whole 20th century.

Portugal adopted the euro in 2002 (200.482 escudos per euro). Its euro coins show the royal seals of the first king, Afonso Henriques. Collectors look for gold cruzados, 18th-century gold pieces, silver escudos and coins from the former colonies.

Coin dealers – Portugal

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